Accounting Major

Drive business success because you understand the numbers!

If numbers are your game, up it here at one of the country’s best accounting colleges. Accounting graduates are in high demand among small and large corporations, government agencies and nonprofits. With your knowledge, you’ll develop informative financial reports to influence critical business decisions, and you’ll be in a position to keep an organization’s finances in check. From learning to lead accounting and business analysis teams to running your own company, at UNI, you’ll develop the skills and expertise to progressively lead a company forward. 

Our accounting degree is the first STEM-designated program in Iowa. As part of the designation, international students qualify for 3 years of Optional Practical Training (OPT).

‌Hybrid Accounting Program in Des Moines

Accounting student studying in lounge
$178k

Median Corporate Controller Salary

According to Robert Half 2020 Salary Guide. Starting salaries for accounting majors range from $54k-$60k according to NACE (2019). 

96%

Career
Placement

Students graduate with multiple job offers in hand. And the majority of time, 100% of graduates have position within six months of graduation (2020).

70%+

CPA Pass Rate

That means UNI accounting graduates pass the CPA exam, far outpacing the state average of 33%.

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CPA or Non-CPA Track

While accountants might handle the more general accounting tasks, Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) are typically more involved in guiding big picture financial decisions for an entire company. A CPA is a trusted partner in organizational leadership and often part of the strategic team; these positions offer financial and career opportunities that go above and beyond a general accounting degree.

Non-CPA accounting majors often work in several different positions in a variety of companies. As an accountant, you can work for big and small businesses, school districts and various non-profit and government organizations. Adding a minor like Entrepreneurship, International Business or General Business Concepts round out an accounting degree and offer a wide range of career opportunities. There are many executives, vice presidents and CFOs in Fortune 500 companies who are not CPAs.

A Top 3 CPA Exam Pass Rate

The CPA exam consists of four parts. A student must pass all four parts to become a CPA. Before the digital age, students were required to take all parts of the exam over two days, which provided clear pass/fail statistics. Today, the test is given online with flexibility on when students sit for each part. Each part is scored separately, but students still must pass all four parts to be licensed.

Due to the exam’s flexibility, many students who start the CPA exam never finish it, delaying their CPA licensing progress. CPA review courses that are taken the final semester at UNI lead to the majority of our students completing and passing the CPA exam before their first day of employment.

 

Discover the Accounting Degree at the University of Northern Iowa

Accounting student writing down problem
Explore Accounting at UNI

The CPA Success Index ranks the University of Northern Iowa as one of the best schools in the nation for students who want to pass the CPA exam.

AccountingToday

Accounting Careers

University of Northern Iowa’s accounting program will arm you with the skills to collect, analyze and interpret financial data so you can efficiently communicate the impact with decision-makers within the organization. Frequent careers and job titles in accounting include:

  • Business Consultant
  • Financial Analyst
  • Internal Auditor
  • Personal Banker
  • Risk Assurance Consultant
  • Tax Accountant
  • Tax Associate/Specialist
  • Technology Consultant

Accounting Courses

UNI is nationally known as a top institution for CPA professionals because we tie professional-level exam preparation into the curriculum. If you plan to practice as a CPA you’ll be responsible for completing a predetermined amount of semester hours. Iowa and most states require 150 credit hours to become a CPA. Typical CPA and non-CPA career track courses include:

  • Principles of Financial Accounting
  • Principles of Managerial Accounting
  • Intermediate Accounting
  • Advanced Accounting
  • Cost Accounting
  • Accounting Information Systems
  • Income Tax
  • Advanced Tax
  • VITA: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
  • Auditing
  • Legal Concepts for Accountants
  • Government and Not-for-Profit Accounting
  • Principles of Fraud Examination
  • CPA Review courses

‌Four-Year Plan

 

UNI Business VITA Tax Assistance

VITA Tax Assistance

Each year, UNI accounting students prepare hundreds of tax returns free. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program was established by the Internal Revenue Service to help those who may find it difficult to pay for tax preparation services. Certified volunteers receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. The UNI accounting department staffs a site to serve members of the Cedar Valley community.

Top Employers

Our graduates are in demand! Whether you want to climb the corporate ladder at one of the big four accounting firms or start your own tax service, you’ll be getting the business knowledge and professional skills to succeed at Wilson’s College of Business. 

Here are a few of the companies where our accounting alumni work:

  • AEGON | Transamerica
  • BerganKDV
  • Deloitte
  • Ernst & Young (EY)
  • Farm Bureau Financial Services
  • HON Company
  • Hy-Vee, Inc.
  • IBM
  • John Deere
  • KPMG LLP
  • PwC
  • RSM US LLP

 

Beyond the Classroom

Shape your leadership skills and have some fun by joining a student organization.


Accounting Club

The University of Northern Iowa Accounting Club is the premier student organization for accounting students and is well-respected by business professionals across the Midwest. As a UNI Accounting Club member, you’ll have access to the latest career information, attend networking events with potential employers or recruiters and increase your social interaction with other students who are majoring in accounting. 


Entrepreneurs Club

Ever wanted to be your own boss? Accounting is a great way to enter the business consulting field. Enhance your skills by joining the UNI Entrepreneurs Club. This group of students actively focuses on developing and utilizing the skills necessary to form functioning revenue-earning identities.